Intermarine and Leonardo have signed a contract with the Directorate of Naval Armaments of the General Secretariat of Defence and National Armaments Directorate of Italy for the procurement of New Generation Minehunters/Coastal (NGM/C) and associated integrated logistical support, both companies said in a press release Friday.
Valued at 1.6 billion euros, the contract includes the delivery of five vessels, with an additional 1 billion euros allocated for program options.
Intermarine will manage a major portion of the contract, amounting to 1.165 billion euros, which represents approximately 73% of the committed funds, while Leonardo will handle the remaining 0.43 billion euros, or roughly 27%. This distribution also applies to the optional tranche.
Intermarine, leading the Temporary Grouping of Companies, will oversee the design and provision of the naval units' platform systems. Leonardo will serve as the design authority and supplier for the combat systems.
The contract follows extensive research and development (R&D) investments in new materials and advanced manufacturing technologies.
It builds on prior studies from a 2021 agreement between Intermarine and the Directorate of Naval Armaments, which focused on risk reduction and project definition for the NGM vessels.
The New Generation Minehunters will enhance the Italian Navy’s capabilities with cutting-edge technology and modern construction methods.
These vessels are set to be among the most advanced globally, offering superior operational capabilities for seabed surveillance and protection of critical underwater infrastructure.
The program aims to bridge capability gaps and bolster the National Mine Countermeasures Component amidst increasing international tensions and maritime threats, as observed in recent conflicts in strategically important regions like the Mediterranean, Black Sea, Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and Baltic Sea.
The NGM/C vessels, measuring approximately 63 meters in length and displacing around 1,300 tons, will feature advanced hull designs for shock resistance from underwater explosions and low magneto-acoustic signatures.
Equipped with modern combat systems including mine hunting sonar and integrated control systems for unmanned vehicles, these minehunters will be capable of a broad range of missions.
In addition to mine clearance, they will perform seabed surveillance, protect underwater infrastructure such as oil and gas pipelines and maritime data networks, and safeguard cultural heritage and the marine environment.
